ANNUAL REPORT 2015 annual report 2015 Agency Board of Directors 1 A Message from the Leadership of ACHIEVE Ellen Feldman, President Dave Sebastianelli, 1st Vice President 2 Awards and Accolades and Corporate Sponsors Kelly Eurillo, 2nd Vice President 3 A Supported Employment Program Success Story Nicki French, Secretary Daniel Ballard, 4 A NYSEG Investment Recovery Center through Treasurer Country Valley Industries Story Robert Salankiewicz, Assistant Treasurer David Alamo 5 A Day Habilitation Program Success Story Lisa Dolphin 6 Overview of Vocational Services Colleen Friends 7 Overview of Residential and Day Habilitation James Hayes, Esq. Services Dorollo Nixon Carolyn Nytch 8 Overview of Family Support Services Mark Peretore 9 Overview of Summer Program, Medicaid Service James Savage Coordination, and Guardianship Services Kathy Sheehan 10 Individual Donor Recognition Gary Shay 12 Foundations, Corporations, and Organizations John J. Stevens Donor Recognition Jamie Striley 13 Statement of Revenue and Expenses 2015 Foundation Board of Directors John J. Stevens, Chairperson Denis Wickham, Vice Chairperson Sandra Michael, PH.D., Secretary Douglas R. Johnson, Treasurer James Hayes, Esq. Bob Pass Jeffrey Lake Marcia Craner Ed Parsons III Ellen Feldman 2015 Executive Management Team 2015 Day Habilitation Program Participant of the year, Steven Mary Jo Thorn, Chief Executive Officer Parker poses for a photo with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Emmanuel Priest during the 61st Annual Dinner Dance held at the Amy Howard, Chief Operating Officer McKinley at Huron Campus. David Markie, VP CVI and Facility Operations Lisa Whitney, VP Programs ACHIEVE find yourself here A Message From Leadership Dear Friends, Another exciting year for ACHIEVE – 2015 – as our agency was accredited by Council on Quality Leadership, an honor bestowed upon us as a result of the quality work our staff do to promote person centered planning and positive outcomes for the individuals we serve. Grounded in over 40 years of leadership and peer-reviewed research, CQL Accreditation promotes excellence in person-centered services and supports that lead to increased qualities of life for the individuals served. This prestigious 3 year accreditation ranks ACHIEVE among the premier providers of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the region. We are thankful, appreciative and proud of the work that was done to support this accreditation at our agency. A job well done! This year, ACHIEVE was privileged to have had both Laura Kennedy, President, NYSARC Board of Governors, and Steve Kroll, Executive Director, NYSARC, Inc., visit and tour our facilities. Having our state leadership team learn of the specific concerns of our chapter helps us in our advocacy efforts in working with legislators and other state representatives on important initiatives such as work center transformation, increased wages for our direct support professionals, and budget issues that have significant impact on services. We continue to work in partnership with OPWDD regarding their Transformation Agenda. Recently, ACHIEVE submitted a proposal to OPWDD with regard to a new business model for our employment centers to place us in compliance with new requirements for integration and competitive work opportunities for the individuals we support. Two quotes on change struck me as being particularly relevant during this period of time working in our system. In the words of Deepak Chopra – “All great changes are preceded by chaos”, and in the words of David Brinkley – “Lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at you”. ACHIEVE will continue to use those bricks to build on the foundation that our founding families created 60+ years ago, and it is our intent to use them to make us stronger and capable of seizing opportunities presented to us to further promote our mission to enrich the lives of those we support. As always, we thank you for your continued support. Warm regards, Mary Jo Thorn Ellen Feldman Chief Executive Officer President, Board of Directors ANNUAL REPORT 2015 1 2015 Awards & Accolades CQL Accreditation (August 2015) Country Valley Industries named Business of the Week ACHIEVE received accreditation from The Council on Quality and Country Valley Industries (CVI) was honored as the “Greater Leadership. This accreditation follows a thorough review of ACHIEVE’s Binghamton Chamber of Commerce Business of the Week” November services and programs. It demonstrates a commitment to excellence 17 - 21. This is CVI’s 17th year of membership with the Chamber in person-centered services and supports. CQL Accreditation facilitates of Commerce. Partnering with the Greater Binghamton Chamber of continuous organizational improvement in person-centered services Commerce has provided Country Valley Industries the opportunity and supports and personal quality of life outcomes. to attend events that foster networking, community involvement, and Roof Project connecting with local professionals. CVI and ACHIEVE sponsor one of ACHIEVE received grant awards from the George A. and Margaret the Greater Binghamton Chamber SBC lunches each year, attend after Mee Charitable Foundation, Dr. G. Clifford and Florence B. Decker hours networking events, support the Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon, Foundation and ACHIEVE Foundation to replace 31,000 square feet of and manage a booth at the Annual Business Show, just to name a few. the roof at ACHIEVE’s Cutler Pond Road facility. March – CVI though the Supported Employment department secured Mildred Faulkner Truman (August 2015) our first Community Service Contract at the Greater Binghamton Health ACHIEVE was the recipient of a grant award from the Mildred Center-Food Service Department. This contract is part of New York Faulkner Truman Foundation to renovate ACHIEVE’s Tioga County Day State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) Preferred Source Contracts Habilitation facility. The award will renovate the day habilitation kitchen whereby NY State, Cities, or government agencies can contract for and provide updated technology for ACHIEVE’s Tioga County day goods and services with organizations who employee individuals with habilitation program. disabilities. IBM ACHIEVE was awarded an IBM Community Service Grant in recognition of the service of Ellen Feldman. These funds support electronic tablet purchases for ACHIEVE Supported Employment Program (SEMP). These tablets allow ACHIEVE employees to provide real time documentation and tracking for the Supported Employment Program. Community Foundation (August 2015) ACHIEVE received a $1,200 grant from the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation for South Central New York. These funds supported a healthy relationship curriculum for women in ACHIEVE’s residential program. Joslin Award- Trisha Peters (September 2015) Trisha Peters was announced as the 2015 William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award. This award recognizes the personal and professional growth achievements of New Yorkers with disabilities. CVI Employees pose for a picture for the monthly Chamber Report. 2015 ACHIEVE Award Winners 2015 Day Habilitation Program 2015 Family Support Services Program 2015 Employee Team of the Year: Participant of the Year: Participant of the Year: Rose Lane Heaven Fink Steven Parker Shawn Lichtenwalner Carlena Hoover Jacklyn Hannah 2015 CVI Employment Center Program Jennifer Shiner Karrie Morse 2015 Medicaid Service Coordination Program Nikki Smith Tamara Osibote Participant of the Year: Participant of the Year: Lisa Cebula Carly Tokos William English Linda Blend Mellisa Ellis 2015 Supported Employment Program 2015 ACHIEVE Star Performer: 2015 Supported Work Employer of the Year: Participant of the Year: Robyn Callaway Red Lobster Devon Woolfolk 2015 ACHIEVE Star Performer: 2015 Company of the Year: 2015 Residential Services Program Dawn Gonzalez Time Warner Cable Participant of the Year: 2015 ACHIEVE Star Performer: 2015 Community Service Award: James Battle Oral Marriott Margaret French 2015 Corporate Sponsors Lachman & Gorton Attorneys at Law JD Tool Jill & Carter King Friends of Assemblyman Clifford Crouch Kelly & Don Eurillo 2 ACHIEVE find yourself here a success story Daniel “Danny” Hine A Supported Employment Program Success Story Danny entered ACHIEVE’s Supported Employment Program in May of 2012. At that time, Danny did not have a lot of employment experience but had volunteered in the kitchen of a local nursing home and worked in a local hospital as part of his work study experience. Daniel enjoyed the work. After graduation, Danny set a goal of working in an integrated setting in the community. He succeeded. In September of 2012 Danny began his first job working in a local restaurant not far from home. With the support of his father and the use of BC Transit, Danny was on time for his first day of work. His manager happily reported that Danny told her, “I need my apron and hat,” a good indication that Danny was ready to go to work. While Danny had good training and support from his job coach, he was good at following directions and demonstrated the desire to be successful. Early on in this job, Danny’s coworkers, managers, and job coaches noted one important character trait; they admired the fact that Danny likes to stay busy and find other chores to do when his work is caught up. Six months into his new job, Danny experienced a significant personal loss, the passing of his mother. A very supportive group of coworkers and managers provided natural supports during this difficult